Dental-Terms-Glossary: Dental-Care And Dental-Benefit Plans Terms - A List Of The Most Commonly Used Terms

Dental-Terms-GLOSSARY...

A - C

Abscess - an infected, inflamed area, usually caused by problem teeth.

Abutement - a tooth or root fitted with a crown to support a bridge or partial denture.

Acrylic Resin - a material used to make tooth colored fillings, usually for front teeth.

Administrative Service Only (ASO) - administraters self-funded dental benefit plans, insurance companies - Third Party Administrators (TPA) that process and pays claims.

Alloy - mixture of two or more metals. Several alloys are used to repair teeth: noble (mostly silver), high noble (mostly gold) and 'base' metals. Cost of filling or crown depends primarily on which alloy is used.

Alternative Benefit - when two different types of dental treatment are considered adequate, dental benefit plans will opt to pay for lesser treatment, even if more expensive treatment is considered better treatment. Also known as Least Expensive Alternative Treatment (LEAT).

Amalgam - a restorative material composed mainly of silver and mercury - most commonly used materials for fillings.

Apicoectomy - procedure involves removal of infected gum tissue and is performed only after a tooth has had at least one root canal.

Assignment Of Benefit - an arrangement in which dental benefit plans spell out exactly what payments they will make to dentist on behalf of patients. Payments are paid directly to the dentist. You, the patient are responsible for deductibles and co-payments.

Benefits - the services covered, or the dollar amount/percentage of dental fees paid by dental benefit plans.

Benefits Package - in regards to dental/health care benefits, these benefits include dental, medical, vision, chiropractic and prescription care.

Benefit Period - amount of time a benefit package is in effect, usually for one year. With some dental benefit plans each new benefit year carries a new deductible, and a new maximum yearly dollar amount limits, and maximum allowable visits per year.

Birthday Rule - when two members of the same family are insured, usually by different employers. The family member whose birthday comes first in calendar year - not the oldest - is primary insured party.

Bitewing X-ray - films of upper and lower teeth, used to check for decay between teeth and gums.

Bonding - a cosmetic procedure used to restore damaged teeth.

Bridge - non-removable replacement device used for missing teeth, made with crowns and pontics.

Cavity - tooth decay caused by bacteria, and if not treated can destroy tooth.

Cafeteria Plan- benefit package in which employees are given a certain amount of fringe benefit dollars. These benefit dollars can then be applied to specific or desired benefits - medical, dental, child care, day care, etc.

Capitation Fee - a fixed monthly allowance paid to participating dentists by a DHMO, for each patient assigned to the dentist. The dentist uses this "pre-paid" fee to cover the costs of providing patient care (see capitation plan below).

Capitation Plan - dental benefit plans in which, dentists agrees to service all dental care needs of patients enrolled in plan for a fixed monthly payment by plan. Payments are made on a per capita basis, whether or not you, the patient presents for treatment. Also referred to as DHMO's or Dental Health Maintenance Organizations (see capitation fee above).

Cash Card - you are paying the balanced owed, when you pay for services with a cash card.

Cephalometric X-ray - used to make precise measurements for dental braces.

Claim Form - or claim, written proof dental treatment has been performed. Claim forms are submitted to dental benefit plans for payment of services. Some dental benefit plans process forms electronically.

Closed Panel (Network) - a specified network of dentists. If you, as a patient go to a dentist that is NOT included in panel, then the dental benefit plan will usually either provide you NO benefits, or reduced benefits.

Co-Insurance/Double Coverage - occurs when two parties in a family have different dental benefit plans from their respective employers. Usually, the family member whose birthday month comes first in the calender year is the primary insured party - also known as the birthday rule.

Co-Payment - when dental benefit plans do not pay for the entire cost of treatment. Remaining portion of cost is yours, the patient's responsibility.

Contract Dentist - a provider who agrees to offer specified services at specific levels of reimbursement, under the terms and conditions agreed to by contract - with the enrolling plan.

Contract Term - the period of time - usually 12 months - that a contract is written.

Coverage (Covered Treatment) - the amount and type of services paid for by the insurance company.

Credentialing - process by which dental benefit plans selects dentists who are allowed to render services to patients enrolled in plan. Dental benefit plans use credentialing process as a means of quality of control in selecting "approved" dentists.

Crown (Cap) - a dental restoration replacing entire portion of the tooth above the gums or gingiva. It is also called an extra-coronal restoration.

Customary Fee - the fee determined by dental benefit plans for a specific service, usually done by a panel of dentists.

D - F

Deciduous Tooth/Teeth - the first teeth to come into a child's mouth - primary teeth or baby teeth. Baby teeth are later lost and replaced by permanent teeth, of course.

Deductible - the amount of dental expense for which you as the enrollee is responsible to pay, before a third party (dental-benefit-carrier) will authorize it's share of payments.

Dental Benefit Plans - refers to the many different types or structures of dental plans, including the 5 major types of dental plans; DHMO's, PPO's, Indemnities, Direct Reimbursements and Dental Discount Plans.

Dental Bone Graft - procedure performed to reverse bone loss or destruction caused by periodontal disease, trauma, or ill fitting removable dentures.

Dental Carrier - insurance company or dental benefit plan that actually write the dental policy terms or contract. Unlike Third Party, the Carrier is the party responsible for coverage and payments.

Dental Discount Plans (DDP) - DDP's guarantee you dramatic discounts on dental procedures, including specialist services. You receive your discount, and pay for services at time of treatment - you are free to set-up monthly payment terms with your dentist (Ameriplan is an example of a DDP).

Dental Implant - artificial tooth inserted directly into jaw bone via a surgical procedure. It may be a single tooth implant or a larger device upon which several teeth can be attached.

Dental Insurance - indemity plans (traditional plans). A payment system in which these type dental benefit plans are financially responsible for part, or all of treatment cost. These plans are noted for their "freedom of choice" in selecting dentists on one hand - while ironically being noted for their limitations on yearly visits - on the other hand.

Dental Public Health - area of dentistry concerned with population approaches to preventive dentistry, eg., flouridation of water.

Dental Service Corporation - non-profit company, usually organized by health professionals to administer dental benefit plans. Blue Cross and Delta Dental Plans are examples of dental service organizations.

Denture - prothesis device used to replace missing teeth, can be a full or partial denture. Prothesis devices can also be removable .

Diagnostic Cast - a mold or sturdy model of the mouth made by taking an impression of teeth.

Diagnostic Photographs - pictures taken by dentist to establish and plan treatment, particularly for braces.

Direct Reimbursement - a method of providing benefits through which an employer reimburses employees directly for their dental care expenses, instead of purchasing insurance coverage from a third party.

DHMO or Dental HMO: Dental Health Maintenance Organization - pre-paid dental benefit plans in which you, the patient receives care through a network of dentists, who are either salaried employees of the DHMO, or who are under contract to DHMO. Dentists receive compensation based on a capitation fee arrangement (see cap fee).

Elgibility Date - the date you as the individual and/or your dependents, become eligible for benefits under a dental benefit plan contract - usually, referred to as the "effective date".

Endodontics (Endodontist)- specialized area of dentistry concerned with treatment of diseases of dental pulp (nerves and blood vessels), which nourish the tooth.

Esthetic Restoration - tooth colored filling, usually made of acrylic resins, porcelain and glass ionomer cements. Filling can be placed on either front or back teeth, most commonly front teeth.

Exclusions - dental services NOT covered by dental benefit plans contract or program.

Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) - similar to a PPO - EPO's are dental benefit plans in which the insurance company negotiates fees with a network of dentists in return for guaranteeing a specified volume of patients to dentists. You, as a patient receive no benefits if you seek treatment from a dentist outside of network.

Extraction - removal of a tooth.

Fee For Service - an arrangement under which the dentist is paid for each service rendered according to a fee schedule agreed upon by dentist and the payor organization (ex. discount dental plans).

Fee Schedule - a list of charges for specific dental procedures established by, or agreed to by dentists.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) - an employee reimbursement account funded primarily by employee - designated salary reductions. Funds are reimbursed to employee for health care (medical, dental, dependents care, and/or legal expenses, and are considered a non-taxable benefit.

Flouride - a compound used in water, dental products and procedures to reduce tooth decay.

Freedom Of Choice - concept that you as the patient has the right to choose any licensed dentist you want, to deliver your oral health care without any type of coercion on behalf of dental carrier.

Full Cafeteria Plan - usually includes POP and FSA features (see terms). Under this type plan employees receive a lump sum of money to spend on their benefits, while employer provides a menu of benefit options for employees to choose from.

Funded Card - provided to enrollees of dental benefit plans. You as the patient use these credit card like instruments to make payment, if you owe money after payment is made by third party.

G - P

Gatekeeper - concept unique to capitation dental benefit plans (HMO/DHMO), refers to the primary care provider. You, the patient must first visit Gatekeeper for treatment. If specialist care is needed and approved, you must then go to a specialist refer by gatekeeper.

General Dentist - term given to a dentist who provides primary care to you and your family. A licensed dentist, but one who has Not completed an American Dental Association approved specialty program in a limited phase of dentistry, such as oral surgery.

Gingivitis - an early stage of gum disease causing inflammation in the gums.

Health Savings Account (HSA) - is a special account owned by you, the individual (patient), contributions made to your account can be used to pay for both current and future medical expenses. HSA's must be used in conjunction with a "High Deductible Health Plan" (HDHP).

High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) - these plans must be used together with HSA, you must have a HDHP before you can set up a HSA. HDHP have a minimum deductible of $1000. for self-only coverage - $2,000 for family coverage.

HMO/Health Maintenance Organization - also called capitation dental benefit plans. You, the patient are assigned a primary care dentist, usually a general dentist. If specialty care is needed, general dentist/gatekeeper refers you to a plan specialist. Dentist receives a set monthly fee per patient, and provides all necessary services at no additional charge to you, or the employer.

Indemnity Insurance - dental benefit plans - usually an insurance company - pays for all or part of dental treatment. You, the patient has complete "freedom of choice" in selecting a dentist, and you can go directly to a specialist without referral by a general dentist.

Inlay - dental restoration made of either cast metal, or porcelain inserted into body of tooth to replace structure lost to either decay or truama.

Least Expensive Alternative Treatment (Leat) - a limitation found in most dental benefit plans (insurance specific plans), which reduces payable benefits to the least expensive of all posible treatment options. Patients choosing the most appropriate (most expensive) treatment plan will incur significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Malocclusion - an abonormal alignment of the teeth.

Manage Care - health care delivery system created to control costs while guaranteeing a minimal level of care. Term usually refers to HMO's, although it is often use to refer to PPO's and Dental Service Corporations, too. Manage care is any system where dentists agree to limitations on "usual and customary fees" for service.

Network - list of dentists who have agreed to a particular dental benefit plan's rules, regulation and fee schedule. Discount dental benefit plans are noted for their hugh networks of dentists.

Onlay - dental restoration restoring outer surfaces of tooth, including cusps that support bite. Made of cast material such as metal or porcelain, can also be fabricated free-hand using dental amalgam or acrylic resin.

Open Panel - a provision withing certain dental benefit plans which allow you, the patient to go to any dentist of your choice. Dental discount plans are a great example of open panel plans.

Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery - specialized area of dentistry dealing not only with the extraction of teeth, but surgical correction of facial anomalies and deformities, including treatment of facial trauma.

Orthodontics (Orthodontist) - specialized area of dentistry concerned with correcting imbalances in your bite, using both removable devices, and fixed dental braces cemented to teeth.

List Bill - an itemized list of employees, social security numbers and benefit plan options, submitted to a dental discount plan when a group account is written.

Out-Of-Pocket Expenses - includes deductible, co-payments, orthodontia (braces), dental treatments, x-rays and laboratory services.

Panoramic X-ray - complete view of teeth, jaws and surrounding bone on one film.

Pediatric Dentist - dentists who specilize in child dentistry tranining - who limits their practice to child patients. Pediatric dentist can be either primary care providers or referral specialist.

Peer Review - committee of dentists selected by dental benefit plans/companies, states, or local dental association for the purpose of hearing patient complaints against a dentist.

Periodontics/Periodontist - specialized area of dentistry dealing with diseases of gingiva (gums) and bones. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in this area of dentistry.

Plague - sticky, nearly clear layer of bacteria on teeth.

Point Of Service Plan (POS) - managed care dental benefit plans allowing you, the patients to seek treatment from a non-participating dentist (out-of-network), but at much lower benefits levels (higher co-pays for patients).

Pontics - artificial teeth used in bridges.

Pre-authorization/Pre-determination - administrative procedures reguiring dentists to submit a treatment plan to a third party payer (insurance carrier), for approval before treatment is begun.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) - dental benefit plans (insurances) that negotiates fees with dentist and directs patients to those dentist offices. When you receive treatment outside of this type network, you pay a higher co-payment and/or deductible.

Premium - regular monthly fee (typically monthly), charged to you, the enrollee by third-party insurers - monies used to fund dental benefit plans.

Premium Only Plan (POP) - an as aspect of Section 125 Health Plans - employees premium contributions are automatically deducted from salaries before taxes are taken out.

Prosthesis - an artificial tooth replacement, it can either be a fixed device and cemented into your mouth, or removable at your, the patient's convenience.

Prosthodontics/Prosthodontist - specialized area of dentistry dealing with replacement of lost teeth with either fixed or removable devices. The prosthodontist often rehabilitates your entire bite.

Provider Access Organization - dental benefit plans providing their members access to a select network of dental/healthcare providers. These plans are noted for providing members access to persons who normally wouldn't have access to an employer sponsored health/dental benefit plan.

Pulp - the live tissue within a tooth.

Pulpotomy - a procedure most often done on primary teeth (baby teeth), nerve and blood vessel tissue in crown of tooth are removed. The purpose of a pulpotomy is to save baby tooth until it is replaced by permanent tooth.

R - V

Reasonable Fee - fee determined by dental benefit plans when there are special circumstances causing a higher degree of difficulty for dentist, and subsequently higher cost. Resonable Fee is greater than Usual Fee.

Reimbursement - payment made by a third party to you the beneficiary, or to a dentist on your behalf - repayment of expenses for services covered by contract or policy.

Resin - a filling material, used for bondings or tooth restoration.

Request For Proposal (RFP) - request made to a dental discount plan for preliminary quote on group coverage.

Root-Canal - treatment used on a tooth with damaged pulp, in order to stop infections and save tooth. The pulp is completely removed, inside of tooth is sterilized and sealed to prevent infection.

Root Resection - procedures involves the removal of an entire root, rather than just the tip.

Sealant - plastic coating put on biting surface of tooth to fill grooves and prevent decay in those areas.

Section 125 Plan - section 125 cafeteria plans are written benefit plans, maintained by companies for benefit of employees. The plan must meet all legal reguirements of section 125 for employers to enjoy tax benefits associated with these type dental benefit plans.

Self-Funding - a program providing employees benefits financed entirely by employer, as opposed to purchasing dental-health benefits from a insurance carrier.

Space Maintainer - removable or fixed device placed in a child's mouth after premature loss of a tooth. Maintainer prevents the tooth next to loss tooth from shifting out of place while loss tooth awaits growth of permanent tooth.

Staff Model Office - dental benefit plans term office model, often used by DHMO's. Dentists are employees of this type plan, and are paid a fixed salary regardless of the amount of care they provide.

Table Of Allowances (TOA)- a method used by insurance companies to determine what fees they will allow a dentist to charge. Unlike a UCR table, the TOA states a specific dollar figure allowed for each procedure.

Third Party Administrator (TPA) - an individual or company pocessesing and paying claims for self-funded dental benefit plans. The TPA undertakes no financial risk for claims. A TPA typically charges a fee for these services.

Third Party Payor - dental benefit plan paying for dental services.

Usual, Customary And Reasonable Fee (UCR) - a price listing of dental procedures developed by a dental insurance companies. Listing dictates maximum reimbursements allowed to dentist for covered services, usually based on a percentage of area providers normal fees.

Usual Fee - most frequently charged fee for a given service.

Utilization - the extent to which members of a covered group uses a program over a stated period of time.

Vendors - dental benefit plans/companies that provide coverage or discounts to you, the patient.

Veneer - an esthetic, or tooth colored material put on the surface of a tooth, primarily for cosmetic reasons. Veneers can be made of acrylic resin or porcelain, and may be placed directly on the tooth.

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